Royal Palace - The King Village

Royal Palace - The King Village

In 1866, Royal Palace was woodenly built in the reign of King Norodom. It is faced to the north representing the rising sun which is the foundation of birth and to the Chaktomuk river intersection such as Upper Mekong, Lower Mekong, Tonle Sap and Bassac River. However, it was replaced by stone in the reign of King Sisowat in 1913.

            Totally, the surrounding gate has 1772 meters long in which the east has 421 meters, the west has 435 meters, the north has 484 meters and the south has 432 meters.

Inside the gate of the palace, there are so many architectural buildings which are introduce in the following. 

1.      Preah Tinang Tevea Vinichhai

It was erected in 1913 in the reign of King Sisowat and inaugurated on 06 June 1917 with length of 100 m x 30 m and the peak of 59 meters high.

The purpose is mainly focus on the coronation of king, royal traditional festivals, and submission letters to the king by ambassadors.

Inside, it has a throne where the king can only settle down once in life. It also displays the sculpture of each king.

2.      Preah Moha Prasat Khemarin

It was built by the King Sisowat Monivong in 1931 with the purpose of hospitalizing visited guests. In the past, it used to reside the President Charles De Gaulle in 1966 for having a speech at Olympic National Stadium, King Haile Selassie from Kingdom of Ethiopia, and so on. Nowadays, it is the place where the recent king resides.

3.      Prasat Sahak Metrei

It is located in the north and constructed in 1950 in the reign of King Norodom Sihanouk. Primarily, it was aimed for Her Previous Majesty Queen Sisowat Kosomak Neary Roth Serey Wathana after her husband died on 03 April 1960. Then it purposed for safeguarding army meeting point and was replaced to be the Supreme National Council.

4.      Somran Phirum Hall

King Sisowat built it in 1917 in order to relax before and after his majesty stayed on the elephant back for hunting. Later on, it became Sihanouk Museum to exhibit priceless souvenirs providing by many honor delegates.

5.      Preah Khan Hall or Somrit Phimean Hall

It was built at the same time of Somran Phirum Hall and is homed the sacred sword, crown, holy shoes and many valuable items.

6.      Preah Tinang Chan Chhaya

By King Sisowat, it was purposed to be the honor platform where the king could view the parade in Royal Khmer Army Day. Additionally, it was used to be the area of rehearsing traditional dances and to be stage for the king to have a speech to his own citizens in many important events.

7.      Napoleon III Pavilion

It is an iron construction which gifted by King Napoleon III to King Norodom when the inauguration of Suez Canal took off. In 1870, it was to strengthen the relationship between Cambodia and France.

8.      Preah Tinang Phochani

On the occasion of royal party, royal birthday, or performances, it is processed. And, it was constructed in 1912.

9.      Preah Reach Domnak Chan

This building was created after transferring the throne from King Norodom Sihanouk in 4 years.

His majesty transferred his throne in 03 March 1955. However, it is divided into two parts. First, it is displayed the jewelry of the royal ballet. And, in the south, it was arranged to be the office of King Norodom Sihanouk.

10.  Emerald Buddha Pagoda

It is named as the pagoda; in contrast, there is no monk living there. Inside, there is a Buddha statue which made from the precious diamond like the emerald and many priceless items for religion, ceremony and many purposes.

Foreigners always call this building as Silver Pagoda because the floor is totally made from the silver.

Principally, it was a wooden architectural construction, built in 1892, King Norodom, and reconstructed to stone in 1962, King Norodom Sihanouk. 

It has a big space where visitors can seek for the wall sculpture of Ream Ke, the influence from Ramayana India, the model of Angkor Wat which is the world heritage site in Cambodia, the stupa of previous king and queen, the statue of kings, artificial mountain, sacred hall, and many amazing zone.

Furthermore, there are more interesting areas that haven’t been described. It consists of the Khmer traditional house, the past of elephant hall, majesty museums, the khmer local products and so forth.

Do not miss occasion to seek for this unforgettable and fascinating venue in Phnom Penh city.